LICENSED GROUP
✓ Licensed
Trinity Merrill Lutheran Early Learning Center
Merrill, WI
· Lincoln County
201 Stange St,
Merrill, WI 54452
Quick Facts
Capacity
70 children
Age Range
6 wks - 6 yrs 11 mo
Type of Care
Full Time. After School Care provided. Drop In Care provided.
Subsidized Program
Does not participate
YoungStar Rating
2
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Licensed LICENSED GROUP
Active License
License Number
2006892
License Holder
Daniel Schneider
Licensed Since
2024
License Issued
Apr 15, 2024
Issued By
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
District Office
Wisconsin Dept of Children and Families (DCF) - Child Care Regulation and Licensing
Reviews
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About the Provider
TRINITY MERRILL LUTHERAN EARLY LEARNING CENTER is a LICENSED GROUP in Merrill WI, with a maximum capacity of 70 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 6 wks - 6 yrs 11 mo. It is open Monday - Friday, 05:30 AM-05:30 PM. The provider does not participate in a subsidized child care program.
Hours of Operation
- Monday05:30 AM-05:30 PM
- Tuesday05:30 AM-05:30 PM
- Wednesday05:30 AM-05:30 PM
- Thursday05:30 AM-05:30 PM
- Friday05:30 AM-05:30 PM
- Saturday Closed
- Sunday Closed
Inspection/Report History
Where possible, ChildcareCenter provides inspection reports as a service to families. This information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. We encourage families to contact the daycare provider directly with any questions or concerns. Reports can also be verified with your local daycare licensing office.
| Violation Date | Rule Number | Rule Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-25 | See Violations below | Licensing |
| 2026-08-25 | The energy-absorbing surface below the climber did not meet the required depth of nine inches of loose fill in a fall radius of four feet. | Violation |
| Description: 251.06(11)(b)5. - Outdoor Play Space - Energy-Absorbing Surfaces | ||
| 2026-08-25 | The bracket connecting the slide to the climber was broken and the slide was leaning against the climber. The slide was not roped off from use and children were using the slide while playing outside in the morning. Buckets and trucks were observed to be cracked exposing sharp and/or pinching edges. Two chalk tables had extensive water damage causing the tables to swell. | Violation |
| Description: 251.06(11)(bm)3. - Outdoor Play Equipment - Construction, Condition | ||
| 2026-08-25 | Sunscreen, insect repellent, lotion, baby powder, and dish soap spray labeled "keep out of reach of children" and were in reach of children in the cubbies located in the cafeteria. Diaper creams labeled "keep out of reach of children" were in reach of children in the downstairs bathroom diaper changing table cabinet. The cabinet lock was missing. | Violation |
| Description: 251.06(2)(d) - Access To Materials Potentially Harmful To Children | ||
| 2026-08-25 | Per observation and staff interview, awake children in the Big Bear Classroom are not allowed to get off their sleeping bags after 30 minutes of rest. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(4)(b) - Naps Or Rest Periods - Awake Children | ||
| 2026-08-25 | The medical log books in the Big Bear and Sonshine Classrooms were not reviewed within the last six months to ensure all possible preventative measures are being taken. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(6)(dm)4. - Medical Log - Reviewing Injury Records | ||
| 2026-08-25 | Tylenol was stored within reach of children in a cubby in the cafeteria. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(6)(f)3. - Medication - Storage | ||
| 2026-05-15 | See Violations below | Licensing |
| 2026-05-15 | Per staff interview, staff threatened to withhold show and tell from children in the Sonshine Classroom for misbehaving. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(2)(e)2. - Prohibited Actions - Verbal | ||
| 2026-04-07 | See Violations below | Licensing |
| 2026-04-07 | A self-reported incident occurred on 03/31/26 when a child was slapped on both hands by Staff A just before 8:00am. The incident was not reported to the department with 24 hours of the occurrence. A self-reported incident occurred in late February to early March when Staff A was observed grabbing a child's arm and dragging them to the table to sit down. The incident was not reported to the department with 24 hours of the occurrence. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(3)(jm) - Report - Prohibited Actions | ||
| 2026-04-07 | On 03/31/26 a child was slapped on both hands by Staff A in the Sonshine Room just before 8:00am. Parents did not receive immediate notification and were not notified until the afternoon of 04/01/26. In late February to early March a child was grabbed by the arm and drug to the table to sit down by Staff A in the Sonshine Room. Parents were not notified. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(4)(a)2.e. - Parent Notification - Inappropriate Child Guidance | ||
| 2026-04-07 | A self-reported incident occurred on 03/31/26, when Staff A in the Sonshine Room was observed slapping a child on their hands. A self-reported incident occurred in late February to early March when Staff A in the Sonshine Room was observed grabbing a child's arm and dragging them to sit down at the table. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(2)(e)1. - Prohibited Actions - Corporal Punishment | ||
| 2026-04-07 | A self-reported incident occurred on 03/31/26 when a child was slapped on both hands by Staff A just before 8:00am. The incident was not reported to the department with 24 hours of the occurrence. A self-reported incident occurred in late February to early March when Staff A was observed grabbing a child's arm and dragging them to the table to sit down. The incident was not reported to the department with 24 hours of the occurrence. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(3)(jm) — Report - Prohibited Actions | ||
| 2026-04-07 | On 03/31/26 a child was slapped on both hands by Staff A in the Sonshine Room just before 8:00am. Parents did not receive immediate notification and were not notified until the afternoon of 04/01/26. In late February to early March a child was grabbed by the arm and drug to the table to sit down by Staff A in the Sonshine Room. Parents were not notified. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(4)(a)2.e. — Parent Notification - Inappropriate Child Guidance | ||
| 2026-04-07 | A self-reported incident occurred on 03/31/26, when Staff A in the Sonshine Room was observed slapping a child on their hands. A self-reported incident occurred in late February to early March when Staff A in the Sonshine Room was observed grabbing a child's arm and dragging them to sit down at the table. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(2)(e)1. — Prohibited Actions - Corporal Punishment | ||
| 2026-04-07 | On 04/01/26 a child was not dressed appropriately to ensure body warmth and comfort while playing outside in capris. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(6)(g)4. - Properly Clothed Children | ||
| 2026-02-26 | See Violations below | Licensing |
| 2026-02-26 | Per staff interview, Staff A in the Sonshine Classroom threatened to take away children's blankets or stuffed animals for not laying down nice. Review of the audio recording confirmed that Staff A threatened to not allow children to play in certain areas if they do not clean up. Staff A used a demeaning tone when saying things like, "Put glue on it. Put it on the paper - Put it on. Put it on. Oh my goodness put it on. Seriously kid wake up," or "Put away the food. Put away the food. It's really a simple task." | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(2)(e)2. - Prohibited Actions - Verbal | ||
| 2026-02-26 | Per interview, staff in the Tiny Tiger Classrooms do not immediately notify parents of all head injuries. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(4)(a)2.c. - Parent Notification - Injury, Consumption Of Allergen, Incorrect Medication | ||
| 2026-02-26 | Per staff interview, the Tiny Tigers Classroom was out of ratio one morning the week of March 2nd. | Violation |
| Description: 251.055(2)(c) - Mixed-Age Group - Staff-To-Child Ratio | ||
| 2026-02-26 | The exit door in the cafeteria was locked and required more than a one-hand and one-motion to open it. | Violation |
| Description: 251.06(4)(d) - Exits & Passageways - Unobstructed, Minimum Width | ||
| 2026-02-26 | Per staff interview, Staff A in the Sonshine Classroom threatened to take away children's blankets or stuffed animals for not laying down nice. Review of the audio recording confirmed that Staff A threatened to not allow children to play in certain areas if they do not clean up. Staff A used a demeaning tone when saying things like, "Put glue on it. Put it on the paper - Put it on. Put it on. Oh my goodness put it on. Seriously kid wake up," or "Put away the food. Put away the food. It's really a simple task." | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(2)(e)2. — Prohibited Actions - Verbal | ||
| 2026-02-26 | Per staff interview, children in the Sonshine Classroom are not allowed to get off their sleeping bags after 30 minutes of rest. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(4)(b) - Naps Or Rest Periods - Awake Children | ||
| 2026-02-26 | One medication in the Caterpillar Classroom was labeled as a dietary supplement and written instruction from a doctor was not on file. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(5)(a)9. - Special Diets - Medical Condition | ||
| 2025-11-20 | See Violations below | Licensing |
| 2025-11-20 | Per staff interview, children are made to lay down for up to one hour during naptime before being allowed to get off their sleeping bags in the Sonshine Classroom. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(4)(b) - Naps Or Rest Periods - Awake Children | ||
| 2025-10-14 | See Violations below | Licensing |
| 2025-10-14 | A self-reported incident occurred on 09/22/25, when Staff A withheld food from a child at lunch time because the child would not sit down. The child sat down and Staff A did not give the child food and started cleaning up the food from other children when the child stated, "Staff A, may I please eat?" Staff A gave the child food, continued to clean up lunch, and then took the child's plate before they could finish eating. Per staff interview, this also occurred on 09/15/25 and another staff had to serve the same child food when Staff A refused to give them food. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(2)(e)4. - Prohibited Actions - Withholding / Forcing Food Or Sleep | ||
| 2025-10-14 | Child 5 did not have record of immunizations or a waiver on file. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(6)(a)6m. - Child Record - Immunization History | ||
| 2025-10-14 | Child 5 did not have record of a health report on a file. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(6)(a)8.a. - Child Record - Physical Exam - Under 2 | ||
| 2025-10-14 | The Sonshine and Big Bears Classrooms had combined for the day and the daily attendance did not accurately reflect the location of the children assigned to the Big Bears Classroom. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(6)(b) - Current, Accurate Daily Attendance Record | ||
| 2025-10-14 | One staff did not sign out in the Sonshine and Big Bears Classrooms. The Sonshine and Big Bears Classroom had combined for the day and the attendance record did not accurately reflect the location of the staff while in staff-to-child ratio. | Violation |
| Description: 251.05(2)(a)6. - Staff Record - Days & Hours Worked | ||
| 2025-10-14 | The closet under the stairs in the Big Bears Classroom was used for storage. The closet contained a disarray of cots, bedding, clothing, toys, and furniture. | Violation |
| Description: 251.06(4)(h) - Storage Areas Under Stairs | ||
| 2025-10-14 | The refrigerator in the cafeteria did not contain a thermometer. | Violation |
| Description: 251.06(9)(d)1.c. - Food Storage - Cold Storage Thermometers | ||
| 2025-10-14 | A self-reported incident occurred on 09/22/25, when Staff A withheld food from a child at lunch time because the child would not sit down. The child sat down and Staff A did not give the child food and started cleaning up the food from other children when the child stated, "Staff A, may I please eat?" Staff A gave the child food, continued to clean up lunch, and then took the child's plate before they could finish eating. Per staff interview, this also occurred on 09/15/25 and another staff had to serve the same child food when Staff A refused to give them food. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(2)(e)4. — Prohibited Actions - Withholding / Forcing Food Or Sleep | ||
| 2025-10-14 | In the Sonshine Classroom the parent authorization to administer for two medications expired on 05/01/25 and 08/10/25. One medication expired in March 2025. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(6)(f)6. - Current Authorizations For Medications On Premises | ||
| 2025-10-14 | Per staff interview and observation, children under the age of 1 year old are having their hands washed with wipes that do not contain soap. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(6)(i)1. - Washing Child's Hands & Face | ||
| 2025-10-14 | The downstairs diaper changing surface was visibly dirty and dirt and debris was under the mat. | Violation |
| Description: 251.09(4)(a)3. - Infant & Toddler - Diaper Changing Surface Disinfection | ||
| 2025-08-20 | See Violations below | Licensing |
| 2025-08-20 | Fingerprints not completed for the following individuals: Individual 001 | Violation |
| Description: 251.05(2)(a)2. - Staff Record - Completed Background Check | ||
| 2025-07-17 | See Violations below | Licensing |
| 2025-07-17 | The biting policies are not being implemented. The center stated policies were updated, however, parents were not notified and did not receive copies for review and acknowledgment. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(2)(h)5. - Policy Submitted & Implemented - Health Care | ||
| 2025-07-17 | A child was removed for their classroom and placed in a different classroom as a result of biting. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(2)(c)5. - Time Out - Not Removed From Classroom | ||
| 2025-06-06 | See Violations below | Licensing |
| 2025-06-06 | Frozen fruit and chicken nuggets were not properly covered after opening. | Violation |
| Description: 251.06(9)(d)1.d. - Food Storage - Covering Refrigerated Food | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Staff in the Sunshine Classroom were heard and observed threatening to call a child's dad if they did not make good choice. Per staff interview, a teacher in the Mini Monkeys Classroom threatened to place children in the buckle chair for not listening. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(2)(e)2. - Prohibited Actions - Verbal | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Prohibited actions were not reported to the department within 24 hours after the incident. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(3)(jm) - Report - Prohibited Actions | ||
| 2025-06-06 | A child in the Sunshine Classroom sustained a head injury on 06/05/25 at 8:30am and parents were not immediately notified. They were notified at the end of the day during pick up. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(4)(a)2.c. - Parent Notification - Injury, Consumption Of Allergen, Incorrect Medication | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Parents were not notified that their child was subject to prohibited child guidance by staff. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(4)(a)2.e. - Parent Notification - Inappropriate Child Guidance | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Several staff stated a child's condition rose to the level of abuse and/or neglect, however, they did not report concerns to child protective services or law enforcement. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(8)(a) - Mandated Reporting - Child Abuse & Neglect | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Staff E and J did not have record of a high school diploma or its equivalent on file. | Violation |
| Description: 251.05(3)(f)2.b. - Child Care Teacher - High School Or Equivalent | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Per staff interview and review of the daily attendance sheet, two assistant teachers were supervising the Mini Monkeys Classroom from 7:05am-5:30pm. | Violation |
| Description: 251.055(1)(b) - Supervision - Teacher Per Group Of Children | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Sanitizing and disinfecting products were in areas accessible to children in the upstairs girl's bathroom, downstairs girl's bathroom, and Mini Monkeys Classroom. | Violation |
| Description: 251.06(2)(d) - Access To Materials Potentially Harmful To Children | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Deteriorating and/or flaking paint was in areas accessible to children in the Sunshine Classroom. | Violation |
| Description: 251.06(2)(i) - Deteriorating Paint | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Frozen fruit and chicken nuggets were not properly covered after opening. | Violation |
| Description: 251.06(9)(d)1.d. — Food Storage - Covering Refrigerated Food | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Dry food items were not stored in bags with zip-type closures or metal, glass or food grade plastic containers with tight-fitting covers. | Violation |
| Description: 251.06(9)(d)2.a. - Food Storage - Dry Food | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Time-outs are being used with children under the age of the 3 years old. Per staff interview, a 2-year-old child was placed on time-out. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(2)(c)1. - Time Out - Age | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Staff in the Sunshine Classroom were heard and observed threatening to call a child's dad if they did not make good choice. Per staff interview, a teacher in the Mini Monkeys Classroom threatened to place children in the buckle chair for not listening. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(2)(e)2. — Prohibited Actions - Verbal | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Per staff interview, a staff in the Mini Monkeys Classroom placed children in a chair with buckles as punishment when they were not listening. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(2)(e)3. - Prohibited Actions - Physical Restraint, Restriction, Enclosure | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Per staff interview, a buckle chair rated for 1 year old's was used for a 2 year old as a time-out and not used per the manufacturer recommendation. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(3)(a)5. - Indoor Equipment - Intended Use | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Multiple lines were skipped in the Sunshine Classroom medical log book. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(6)(dm)2. - Medical Log - Pages & Entries | ||
| 2025-06-06 | Staff in the Little Lambs Classroom did not was their hands after wiping a child's nose. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(6)(i)2. - Adult Handwashing | ||
| 2025-04-10 | See Violations below | Licensing |
| 2025-04-10 | One staff in the Little Lambs and one staff in the Tiny Tigers Classrooms were not signed in. Daily attendance did not accurately reflect the location of the staff during opening hours. | Violation |
| Description: 251.05(2)(a)6. - Staff Record - Days & Hours Worked | ||
| 2025-04-10 | Two children in the Tiny Tigers Classroom were not signed in. Daily attendance did not accurately reflect the location of the children during opening hours. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(6)(b) - Current, Accurate Daily Attendance Record | ||
| 2025-04-10 | One staff in the Little Lambs and one staff in the Tiny Tigers Classrooms were not signed in. Daily attendance did not accurately reflect the location of the staff during opening hours. | Violation |
| Description: 251.05(2)(a)6. — Staff Record - Days & Hours Worked | ||
| 2025-04-10 | There was one staff with five children under the age of 2 years old from 5:39am-6am. | Violation |
| Description: 251.055(2)(b) - Staff-To-Child Ratios - Minimum | ||
| 2025-04-10 | In the Tiny Tigers Classroom there was one staff with seven children. Four children were under the age of 2 years old, and three children were ages 2-2.5 years old. | Violation |
| Description: 251.055(2)(c) - Mixed-Age Group - Staff-To-Child Ratio | ||
| 2025-03-27 | See Violations below | Licensing |
| 2025-03-27 | Per staff interview, infants are left sleeping in their car seats or in the arms of staff until their teacher arrives later in the morning and the children go to their classrooms. Per observation, a 2-month-old infant was sleeping in a baby swing. | Violation |
| Description: 251.09(2)(bm) - Infant & Toddler - Sleep Position | ||
| 2025-03-27 | Several children were not signed in or out on 03/25/25. Daily attendance did not accurately reflect the location of the children during opening and closing hours. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(6)(b) - Current, Accurate Daily Attendance Record | ||
| 2025-03-27 | Several staff had not signed in or out on 03/25/25. Review of records showed multiple staff had not signed out on a regular basis. Daily attendance did not accurately reflect the location of the staff during opening and closing hours. | Violation |
| Description: 251.05(2)(a)6. - Staff Record - Days & Hours Worked | ||
| 2025-03-27 | Staff A does not have record of abusive head trauma training on file. | Violation |
| Description: 251.05(3)(b) - Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Training | ||
| 2025-03-27 | Per staff interview, infants are being left in their car seats and the car seats are placed on top of tables in the cafeteria during the opening hours. The car seats are labeled with a warning advising against placing them on counters, tables, or elevated surfaces. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(3)(a)5. - Indoor Equipment - Intended Use | ||
| 2025-03-27 | Per staff interview, children under the age of two are being woken from nap to eat snack and are not allowed to create their own sleeping schedules. | Violation |
| Description: 251.09(2)(b) - Infant & Toddler - Individual Sleep Patterns | ||
| 2025-03-27 | Per staff interview, infants are left sleeping in their car seats or in the arms of staff until their teacher arrives later in the morning and the children go to their classrooms. Per observation, a 2-month-old infant was sleeping in a baby swing. | Violation |
| Description: 251.09(2)(bm) — Infant & Toddler - Sleep Position | ||
| 2025-03-27 | Per staff interview, infants are left in their car seats, awake and sleeping, for long periods of time until their teacher arrives later in the morning and the children go to their classrooms. | Violation |
| Description: 251.09(2)(f) - Infant & Toddler - Changing Infant Body Positions, Location | ||
| 2025-02-07 | See Violations below | Licensing |
| 2025-02-07 | Center staff implemented a sticker chart in the preschool classroom whereby a child could not participate in a special activity with the rest of the group if they did not earn enough stickers. On one occasion, one or more children were not allowed to watch a movie with the group because they didn't earn enough stickers. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(2)(e)5. - Prohibited Actions - Cruel, Aversive, Frightening, Humiliating Actions | ||
| 2025-02-07 | Per observation, no children were marked in as being present on the classroom sign-sheets for classrooms 7 and 9. | Violation |
| Description: 251.04(6)(b) - Current, Accurate Daily Attendance Record | ||
| 2025-02-07 | Two classrooms did not have a written program of planned activities posted for the week of February 3, 2025. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(1)(a) - Written Program Of Activities | ||
| 2025-02-07 | Center staff implemented a sticker chart in the preschool classroom whereby a child could not participate in a special activity with the rest of the group if they did not earn enough stickers. On one occasion, one or more children were not allowed to watch a movie with the group because they didn't earn enough stickers. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(2)(e)5. — Prohibited Actions - Cruel, Aversive, Frightening, Humiliating Actions | ||
| 2025-02-07 | Center had an incomplete authorization form to administer Flovent to Child 1. | Violation |
| Description: 251.07(6)(f)1.a. - Medication Administration - Parent Authorization | ||
| 2024-09-27 | No Violations found *** | Licensing |
| 2024-06-07 | No Violations found *** | Licensing |
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